NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION The region of Andalucía extends across the south of Spain. Its capital is Seville
AREA 2,875 sq miles (7,470 sq km)
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES Jan: 50°F (10°C); Apr: 63°F (17°C); Jul: 82°F (28°C); Oct: 68°F (20°C)
Just west of the Costa del Sol, the wind picks up, blowing away the flotsam of mass tourism. The tangled streets of the great sherry towns of Jerez and Sanlucar de Barrameda are home to white horses and the mixed blood of a centuries-old Anglo-Spanish aristocracy. Head inland, and the pueblos blancos rise above the stunning Andaluz landscape. A hundred castles of the Spanish Reconquista in turn rise above them, cruel reminders of a 700-year-long clash of civilizations.
Then there’s the city of Cádiz. Spectacularly situated on a slim spur of sand, it self-consciously stretches away from Spain’s reactionary past. At its heart, a golden-domed cathedral shines over the elegant streets and squares of the old town.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around
Fly to Cádiz, Seville or Málaga. There are also high-speed trains to Cádiz from Madrid. The local Al Andaluz express cuts through the region in vintage coaches.
When to Go
This is one of the sunniest regions in Europe. But summer in the interior makes traveling hard, so visit in early spring or late fall.